Celtic and Groningen have opened up talks about establishing commercial and sporting ties.
A delegation from the Dutch side, headed up by Chief Executive Hans Nijland and technical director Henk Veldmate met their counterparts at Celtic last week and attended the match with AC Milan.
The two clubs first made contact during the summer over the transfer of Virgil van Dijk which was concluded swiftly and businesslike.
Nijland told respected Dutch magazine Voetbal International: “Celtic and Groningen have built up a great relationship since the summer transfer of Virgil van Dijk.”
Celtic have links to clubs in India, Mexico and the USA but a deal with Groningen is likely to be of most value on the football front with Holland recognised as one of the best nations for producing footballers.
Gaining a real insight into emerging players in Holland and having an outlet to loan players out to would bring multiple benefits for Neil Lennon.
Ever since the £1.5m signing of Pierre van Hooijdonk in 1995 Holland has been one of the most popular destinations for Celtic to find players with Henrik Larsson and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink also arriving from the Eredivisie.
As well as van Dijk, Celtic signed Derk Boerrigter from Ajax in the summer with players from Holland usually adapting quickly to the Scottish game adapting quickly to the language and weather.
Having a club to loan players out to would also be a big benefit with striker Tony Watt currently with Lierse in the Belgian League.
Further talks between the two clubs are on-going with further developments expected early in the new year.
Groningen are currently sitting in fifth place in Eredivisie, six points behind leaders Vitesse.
Sounds good to me 😉
Would Groningen be interested in Mo Bangura?
Monti,
As well as bangura,pukki,balde,stokes and
watt.
However,in general,this would be a good
link -up.
Our young players would benefit from the
Dutch technical expertise.
Likewise,their players would benefit from
the physical nature of our game,by hardening them to the demands of the
game here.
Ultimately,for us,unearthing a Dutch gem
is our intended goal.Also first shout on any of their quality players.As shown by
big Virgil who oozes class.
I wonder if they have any quality strikers ?
Meanwhile,good to see Neil taking in games in the Championship,as said before,there is quality their,who would do
us a turn.
Spot on, but at the moment there are no real quality players in their squad.
Groningen is well known for their eye on good strikers and good players from Skandinavia overall, so this is a good tie.
They have a talented goaly tho in Marco Bizot at the moment
Absolutely, as Gary Hooper showed m8!
Not sure about £6m for Vaughn though!
Agreed,Monti re Vaughan price.
6M there having a laugh.Lenny was going to take him on loan 2 years ago.
Why we did not pay 1M for him,God
only knows,as he was on the radar.
But…..Pukki ? Say no more.
Troy Deeney at Watford,is a similar
player to Vaughan.Big,strong,good in
the air ( can our strikers head a ball )
and holds the ball up well.
Also at Watford I think Forestieri, would add a spark to our team.He is
very creative.
Other players like Lee Tomlin and Nhakki Wells would do a job for us.
So,there are good players playing in
england,that we should go for.
No way.
Groningen (and Heereveen) are well known for their eye on good strikers
(Marcus berg, Tim Matavz, Arjan Robben, Luis Suarez etc.), so Bangura won’t fit in.
Dont think Banguras maw would be interested in havin hid back
I think NEIL LENNON is doing his JOB PERFECTLY WELL HE DOES NOT NEED EVERYBODY+ ANYBODY TELLING HIM WHAT TO DO. Its his job and He knows what he wants in his team . Neil i am right behind whatever you do.HH YNWA
Lennon wants to get a fuckin grip turned into a board yes man. Pukki Balde will take 2 years to be successful. Griffiths Rhodes or our ex player maginn at Aberdeen we need.
Mick,agree re signings.
Never fan of Griffiths aka the Thumb,but
his goals last season for Hibs were impresive.Better goalscorer than Stokes.
Worth a punt.
Big fan of Rhodes (Celtic fan into the bargain ) Great poacher,very direct,always
on the move,excellent in the air.But, it
would take 5 M, to get him.Would our club
pay that ?